Automatic Structural Scene Digitalization

In this paper, we present an automatic system for the analysis and labeling of structural scenes, floor plan drawings in Computer-aided Design (CAD) format. The proposed system applies a fusion strategy to detect and recognize various components of CAD floor plans, such as walls, doors, windows and other ambiguous assets. Technically, a general rule-based filter parsing method is fist adopted to extract effective information from the original floor plan. Then, an image-processing based recovery method is employed to correct information extracted in the first step. Our proposed method is fully automatic and real-time. Such analysis system provides high accuracy and is also evaluated on a public website that, on average, archives more than ten thousands effective uses per day and reaches a relatively high satisfaction rate.Comment: paper submitted to PloS On

IMAT graphics manual

The Integrated Multidisciplinary Analysis Tool (IMAT) consists of a menu driven executive system coupled with a relational database which links commercial structures, structural dynamics and control codes. The IMAT graphics system, a key element of the software, provides a common interface for storing, retrieving, and displaying graphical information. The IMAT Graphics Manual shows users of commercial analysis codes (MATRIXx, MSC/NASTRAN and I-DEAS) how to use the IMAT graphics system to obtain high quality graphical output using familiar plotting procedures. The manual explains the key features of the IMAT graphics system, illustrates their use with simple step-by-step examples, and provides a reference for users who wish to take advantage of the flexibility of the software to customize their own applications

From 3D Models to 3D Prints: an Overview of the Processing Pipeline

Due to the wide diffusion of 3D printing technologies, geometric algorithms for Additive Manufacturing are being invented at an impressive speed. Each single step, in particular along the Process Planning pipeline, can now count on dozens of methods that prepare the 3D model for fabrication, while analysing and optimizing geometry and machine instructions for various objectives. This report provides a classification of this huge state of the art, and elicits the relation between each single algorithm and a list of desirable objectives during Process Planning. The objectives themselves are listed and discussed, along with possible needs for tradeoffs. Additive Manufacturing technologies are broadly categorized to explicitly relate classes of devices and supported features. Finally, this report offers an analysis of the state of the art while discussing open and challenging problems from both an academic and an industrial perspective.Comment: European Union (EU); Horizon 2020; H2020-FoF-2015; RIA - Research and Innovation action; Grant agreement N. 68044

Assembly of objects with not fully predefined shapes

An assembly problem in a non-deterministic environment, i.e., where parts to be assembled have unknown shape, size and location, is described. The only knowledge used by the robot to perform the assembly operation is given by a connectivity rule and geometrical constraints concerning parts. Once a set of geometrical features of parts has been extracted by a vision system, applying such a rule allows the dtermination of the composition sequence. A suitable sensory apparatus allows the control the whole operation

Raster to vector conversion: creating an unique handprint each time

When a person composes a document by hand, there is random variability in what is produced. That is, every letter is different from all others. If the person produces seven a s, none will be the same. This is not true when a computer prints something. When the computer produces seven a s they are all exactly the same. However, even with the variability inherent in a person s handwriting, when two people write something and they are compared side by side, they often appear as different as fonts from two computer families. In fact, if the two were intermixed to produce some text that has characters from each hand, it would not look right! The goal of this application is to improve the ability to digitally create testing materials (i. e., data collection documents) that give the appearance of being filled out manually (that is, by a person). We developed a set of capabilities that allow us to generate digital test decks using a raster database of handprinted characters, organized into hands (a single person s handprint). We wish to expand these capabilities using vector characters. The raster database has much utility to produce digital test deck materials. Vector characters, it is hoped, will allow greater control to morph the digital test data, within certain constraints. The long-term goal is to have a valid set of computer-generated hands that is virtually indistinguishable from characters created by a person

A contour-based approach to binary shape coding using a multiple grid chain code

This paper presents a contour-based approach to efficiently code binary shape information in the context of object-based video coding. This approach meets some of the most important requirements identified for the MPEG-4 standard, notably efficient coding and low delay. The proposed methods support both object-based lossless and quasi-lossless coding modes. For the cases where low delay is a primary requirement, a macroblock-based coding mode is proposed which can take advantage of inter-frame coding to improve the coding efficiency. The approach presented here relies on a grid different from that used for the pixels to represent the shape – the hexagonal grid – which simplifies the task of contour coding. Using this grid, an appraoch based on a differential chain code (DCC) is proposed for the lossless mode while, for the quasi-lossless case, an approach based on the multiple grid chain code (MGCC) principle is proposed. The MGCC combines both contour simplification and contour prediction to reduce the number of bits needed to code the shapes. Results for alpha plane coding of MPEG-4 video test sequences are presented in order to illustrate the performance of the several modes of operation, and a comparison is made with the shape-coding tool chosen by MPEG-4.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Onboard shuttle on-line software requirements system: Prototype

The prototype discussed here was developed as proof of a concept for a system which could support high volumes of requirements documents with integrated text and graphics; the solution proposed here could be extended to other projects whose goal is to place paper documents in an electronic system for viewing and printing purposes. The technical problems (such as conversion of documentation between word processors, management of a variety of graphics file formats, and difficulties involved in scanning integrated text and graphics) would be very similar for other systems of this type. Indeed, technological advances in areas such as scanning hardware and software and display terminals insure that some of the problems encountered here will be solved in the near-term (less than five years). Examples of these solvable problems include automated input of integrated text and graphics, errors in the recognition process, and the loss of image information which results from the digitization process. The solution developed for the Online Software Requirements System is modular and allows hardware and software components to be upgraded or replaced as industry solutions mature. The extensive commercial software content allows the NASA customer to apply resources to solving the problem and maintaining documents